Greece Battles Wildfires as Heatwave Sweeps Southern Europe
Firefighters in Greece are tackling dozens of wildfires as a severe heatwave grips southern Europe, forcing thousands to evacuate.
In the last 24 hours, Greece has recorded over 150 new fires. More than 4,800 firefighters are working to contain multiple blazes across the country. At least three people have died in Spain, Albania, and Turkey, and many others, including firefighters, have been treated for burns and smoke inhalation.
Temperatures have topped 40°C in several countries, with France and Slovenia hitting new records.
In Greece, flames have destroyed homes, businesses, and farmland on the islands of Chios and Zakynthos, and in the city of Patras in the Peloponnese. On Zakynthos, three large fires covering over 15 km remain out of control.
Authorities have used rescue boats to evacuate beachgoers on Chios and have requested firefighting aircraft from other EU countries.
Spain has also been badly hit, with more than 4K people evacuated from León province overnight. A volunteer firefighter and an equestrian centre worker both died from burns. Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez warned the country faces an «extreme risk» of wildfires.
Elsewhere in Europe, heat alerts remain in place across France, Spain, Portugal, Italy and the Balkans. Slovenia recorded its hottest night ever. In Italy, two children, a boy in Sardinia and a child in the mainland south, died from heatstroke.
In Montenegro, one soldier was killed and another seriously injured when their water tanker overturned while fighting fires near Podgorica. Portugal is battling three major blazes, including one in Trancoso.
Turkey has brought large fires in Canakkale and Izmir under control after evacuations and temporary closures of the Dardanelles Strait and a local airport.
The UK is also experiencing its fourth heatwave of the year, with temperatures reaching 33°C and grassfires breaking out in London.
Scientists say climate change is making Mediterranean summers hotter and drier, increasing the risk of longer and more intense wildfire seasons.
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